approximate

almost correct or accurate, but not completely soan approximate number/total/costThe cost given is only approximate.Use these figures as an approximate guide in your calculations.Construction was completed at an approximate cost of $4.1 million.oppositeexactWord Originlate Middle English (in the adjectival sense ‘close, similar’): from late Latinapproximatus, past participle of approximare, from ad-

‘to’

+ proximus

‘very near’

. The verb (originally meaning ‘bring close’) arose in the mid 17th cent.; the current use as an adjective dates from the early 19th cent.